Community meetings bring people together for exchange of ideas and memorable shared experiences. Here’s a sampling of meetings and charity/volunteer events in the San Fernando Valley area.
Nov. 14
Wings Over Wendy’s: Veterans of all services and ages, and their supporters, meet from 8:30-11 a.m. every Monday of the month. Location, 7401 Shoup Ave., West Hills. Contact Ed Reynolds, 818-884-4013. www.wingsoverwendys.com
Book Club with Sun Valley Branch Library: Discusses “Cloud Cuckoo Land” by Anthony Doerr, 4:45-5:30 p.m. Request the Google Meet link in advance by email to ebarrera@lapl.org (put “Book Club” in the subject line). 7935 Vineland Ave. 818-764-1338. Details: bit.ly/2XJ1Xoh
North Hills East Neighborhood Council: A board meeting, 6:30 p.m. Join the meeting on Zoom: bit.ly/3nauizC. By phone, 669-900-6833 and use ID: 83160320531 and #. Voicemail: 818-672-6674. www.facebook.com/NorthHillsEast. northhillseast.org/
Reseda Neighborhood Council: A special general board meeting, 7 p.m. (meeting moved from third Monday of the month). Join the meeting on Zoom: bit.ly/3wEMJRN. By phone, 877-853-5257 and use ID: 84974428499 and #. Email: info@resedacouncil.org. resedacouncil.org
Nov. 15
In-person Tuesday Evening Book Club at Calabasas Library: Discusses “Honor” by Thrity Umrigar, 6 p.m. Minimum age: 16. Email Barbara Lockwood with questions at blockwood@calabasaslibrary.org. Location, 200 Civic Center Way. 818-225-7616. Details: bit.ly/3hAdqV2
Arleta Neighborhood Council: A board meeting, 6:30 p.m. Join the meeting on Zoom here: bit.ly/3QxMxy6. By phone, 833-548-0276 and use ID: 81800673600 and #. www.facebook.com/ArletaNC. arletanc.org/
Greater Toluca Lake Neighborhood Council: A board meeting, 7 p.m. Join the meeting on Zoom: bit.ly/3bF2M9O. By phone, 669-900-9128 and use ID: 97941372867 and #. Voicemail, 818-971-9134. Email: info@gtlnc.org. www.facebook.com/GTLNC. www.gtlnc.org/
Nov. 16
Wednesday Morning Book Club with Calabasas Library: Discusses “Lie Down with Lions” by Ken Follett, 11 a.m. Join the meeting in-person or on Zoom. Request the Zoom link in advance by email to Karilyn Steward at ksteward@calalbasaslibrary.org (put “Wednesday Morning Book Club” in the subject line). Location, 200 Civic Center Way. 818-225-7616. Details: bit.ly/3hAdqV2
Ask the Psychiatrist Night – Online: National Alliance on Mental Illness – San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys present guest speaker Dr. Alex Kopelowicz, director of psychiatry at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center in Sylmar, answers your questions, 7-8:45 p.m. online on Zoom. Join the meeting here: bit.ly/3bMNm1Y. By phone, 669-900-9128 and use ID: 81835523630 and # and Pass Code: 692327. Information for resources on mental health, Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health: dmh.lacounty.gov. Information about the local NAMI group and their support groups, www.namisfv.org. www.namisfv.org/calendar_main
Northridge East Neighborhood Council: A board meeting is scheduled, 7 p.m. Check the agenda page on the website for how to join the meeting on Zoom and by phone. Voicemail, 818-527-2913. Email: info@nenc-la.org. nenc-la.org/
Studio City Neighborhood Council: A board meeting, 7 p.m. Join the meeting on Zoom: bit.ly/2U2pkLx. By phone, 669-900-6833 and use ID: 97198762934 and #. Voicemail, 818-655-5400. Email: board@studiocitync.org. www.facebook.com/StudioCityNC. www.studiocitync.org
Nov. 17
Burbank African Violet Society: Club member Hanna Olson discusses “How to Grow Streps,” short for streptocarpus, a cousin to the African violet and commonly called Cape primrose, 10 a.m. The meeting includes silent auction tables and a raffle. Little White Chapel Christian Church, parish hall, 1711 N. Avon St., Burbank. 661-940-3990. www.burbankafricanviolets.weebly.com
League of Women Voters of Greater Los Angeles – Online: The San Fernando Valley Unit presents a talk by Richard L. Hasen, professor of law, UCLA election and campaign finance law scholar, on “Will the 2024 Elections Be Free and Fair? What the 2022 Elections Tell Us,” 12:30 p.m. Request the Zoom link by email to adminassist@lwvlosangeles.org. Details: my.lwv.org/california/greater-los-angeles/calendar
Children’s Bureau – Resource Parents Online Orientations: Learn how to help children in the foster care system by becoming a resource parent or how to become adoptive parents with a talk by a Children’s Bureau team member and a foster parent, 4-5 p.m. Request the Zoom live meeting link or a learn-at-your-own-pace online presentation, by sending an email to rfrecruitment@all4kinds.org. 800-730-3933. Details about the orientations: www.all4kids.org/programs/family-foster-care-and-adoption. Learn more about the nonprofit that was established in 1904 here: all4kids.org
North Hills West Neighborhood Council: A board meeting is scheduled, 6 p.m. Check the agenda page on the website for how to join the meeting on Zoom or by phone. Voicemail, 818-903-2259. Email: board@nhwnc.net. Facebook: bit.ly/35EJ5vK. www.nhwnc.net/
Congressman Brad Sherman Town Hall: The congressman (D-CA, 30th District) discusses recent legislation during this session of Congress and he answers submitted questions, 7 p.m. Reservations requested. To listen to the town hall, 855-920-0548. Email: brad.sherman@mail.house.gov. Make a reservation and submit a question here: bradsherman.house.gov/townhall
Foothill Trails District Neighborhood Council: A board meeting is scheduled, 7 p.m. Check the agenda on the website or use the link on Facebook for how to join the meeting on Zoom or by phone. The neighborhood council includes Lake View Terrace, Shadow Hills and La Tuna Canyon. www.facebook.com/FoothillTrails. www.ftdnc.org
Nov. 18
Current Events Nonfiction Book Club with Studio City Branch Library: Discusses “This Is Your Mind on Plants” by Michael Pollan, noon. 12511 Moorpark St. 818-755-7873. Email: studio@lapl.org. Details: bit.ly/3nzhnZE
Nov. 19
Chatsworth Chapter National Society Of the Daughters of the American Revolution: Meets, 10 a.m. Social time, 9:30 a.m. Meeting location provided to anyone interested in attending as a potential DAR member or guest, contact Kathy Holland at chatsworthchapterdar@gmail.com. chatsworth.californiadar.org
Detox Your Mind Through Meditation – Online: Long-time meditator Doug Frankel discusses the topic and a meditation technique to use, 11 a.m. Request the Zoom link in advance by email to mschatkun@lapl.org (put “Meditation, Nov. 19” in the subject line). The talk is presented by Platt Branch Library in Woodland Hills. Details: bit.ly/3hB6qHa
Sourdough Bread Workshop: Food preservation instructor Brie Wakeland discusses how to make a sourdough starter and bread, 2 p.m. Valley Plaza Branch Library, 12311 Vanowen St., North Hollywood. 818-765-9251. Details: bit.ly/3T5Xabe
Charity and Volunteer
LA Sanitation and Environment’s City Facilities Recycling Program’s Blankets and Socks Drive: Donations of new or gently-used (washed and clean) blankets, sleeping bags, quilts and socks are being accepted now through Dec. 30. Items may be donated, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday (however, locations will be closed on Nov. 24-25 and Dec. 26, Christmas-observed day for LA Sanitation). Two locations in the San Fernando Valley: East Valley District Yard, 11050 Pendelton St., Sun Valley, and West Valley District Yard, 8840 Vanalden Ave., Northridge. See other drop-off locations on the website. 213-485-2260. Email: san.cfrp@lacity.org. lacitysan.org
Tujunga Monday Night Bingo with Knights of Columbus: The organization holds the game night that generates funds for local charities. Early bird games, 6:30 p.m., and regular games at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 14. Bingo games are set for multiple Monday dates. Buy in $15. Our Lady of Lourdes, auditorium, 7144 Apperson St., Tujunga. Details on Eventbrite: bit.ly/3S22nkb
Volunteers Cleaning Communities: Join the group for clean-up projects in the San Fernando Valley. Find a list of upcoming projects, and also how to make a donation for clean-up supplies, volunteerscleaningcommunities.com
Send information at least two weeks in advance to Holly Andres at holly.andres@dailynews.com. 818-713-3708.